💬 Join Equaldex's LGBTQ+ Discord to discuss LGBT rights and chat!

Public Opinion

Suggest Public Opinion Data

Surveys in Rwanda have revealed a prevalence of resistance towards LGBTQ+ rights.

LGBT people's sexual acts or gender expressions are against what God intended

(APHRC, 2022)
74.2%
Strongly agree/agree
13.8%
Strongly disagree/disagree

I believe that LGBT people should be treated like any other person under the law

(APHRC, 2022)
53%
Strongly agree/agree
35.3%
Strongly disagree/disagree

Homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgenderism are a result of too much freedom

(APHRC, 2022)
51.2%
Strongly agree/agree
26.4%
Strongly disagree/disagree

LGBT people are unnatural

(APHRC, 2022)
49.2%
Strongly agree/agree
35.2%
Strongly disagree/disagree

LGBT people are mentally sick or never grew up to be mature heterosexual men

(APHRC, 2022)
43.5%
Strongly agree/agree
38.4%
Strongly disagree/disagree

I feel positive towards LGBT people

(APHRC, 2022)
43.3%
Strongly agree/agree
45.5%
Strongly disagree/disagree

Intersex people are nature's mistakes

(APHRC, 2022)
33.3%
Strongly agree/agree
41.3%
Strongly disagree/disagree

I support LGBT rights

(APHRC, 2022)
32.2%
Strongly agree/agree
51.4%
Strongly disagree/disagree

Homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgenderism are common mistakes

(APHRC, 2022)
32.1%
Strongly agree/agree
53.8%
Strongly disagree/disagree

Bisexuality is a choice

(APHRC, 2022)
67.1%
Strongly agree/agree
14.8%
Strongly disagree/disagree

Homosexual people can become heterosexual

(APHRC, 2022)
62.8%
Strongly agree/agree
16.1%
Strongly disagree/disagree

One is born homosexual, straight or bisexual

(APHRC, 2022)
44.6%
Strongly agree/agree
35.6%
Strongly disagree/disagree

Transgender people choose to be transgender

(APHRC, 2022)
40.6%
Strongly agree/agree
27.8%
Strongly disagree/disagree

Sex between two men is just plain wrong

(APHRC, 2022)
68.5%
Strongly agree/agree
18.7%
Strongly disagree/disagree

Sex between two women is just plain wrong

(APHRC, 2022)
68.9%
Strongly agree/agree
17.9%
Strongly disagree/disagree

Students should be taught about LGBT rights at school

(APHRC, 2022)
41.5%
Strongly agree/agree
48.6%
Strongly disagree/disagree
Show 8 More

Have you lived in or visited Rwanda?

Share your experience of being LGBTQ+ in Rwanda.

Take Survey

History

Homosexual activity in Rwanda

?

Homosexual activity in Rwanda is legal.

Current status
Legal
Rwanda does not criminalise gay sex, but homophobic attitudes are common throughout the nation.
Details
Sources:
www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/tex…
Report error ��� Log

Same-sex marriage in Rwanda

?

Same-sex marriage in Rwanda is banned.

Current status
Since May 26, 2003
Banned
The Constitution of Rwanda, adopted in May 2003, defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Article 26 states: "Only civil monogamous marriage between a man and a woman is recognized."
Details
Sources:
web.archive.org/web/2010052…
Report error ��� Log
Until May 25, 2003
Unrecognized
Until 2003, there was no explicit ban on same-sex marriage in Rwanda. However, there was also no legal recognition provided to same-sex couples.
Details
Sources:
web.archive.org/web/2010052…
Report error ��� Log

Censorship of LGBT issues in Rwanda

?

Censorship of LGBT issues in Rwanda is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Rwanda, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.

However, LGBTIQ+ people are frequently detained by police under vaguely worded laws against "deviant acts or behaviours" and laws against "acts which hurt public decency".
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
www.vice.com/en/article/rwa…
rightsinexile.org/sexual-or…
Report error ��� Log

Right to change legal gender in Rwanda

?

Right to change legal gender in Rwanda is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
There is no legal gender recognition provided in Rwanda.
Details
Sources:
www.dw.com/en/rwanda-activi…
Report error ��� Log

Gender-affirming care in Rwanda

?

Gender-affirming care in Rwanda is restricted.

Current status
Restricted
In 1986, Rwanda legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad. Hormone therapy is not available however.
Details
Sources:
www.rhsupplies.org/uploads/…
irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/country-i…
Report error ��� Log

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Rwanda

?

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Rwanda is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
There is no legal recognition in Rwanda.
Details
Sources:
ilga.org/downloads/ILGA_Wor…
Report error ��� Log

LGBT discrimination in Rwanda

?

LGBT discrimination in Rwanda is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Since Oct 15, 2021
Illegal in some contexts
Laws relating to the Protection of Personal Data and Privacy (Law 58 of 2021) defines sensitive personal data as information revealing a person’s sexual life.

There are some protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity issued by the Government of Rwanda:

-Standard Operating Procedures on identifying and safeguarding
vulnerable persons under the Migration and Economic Development Partnership, April 2024.
-Asylum and humanitarian protection decision making Standard Operating
Procedures, April 2024.
-Manual on Refugee Appeal Tribunal Standard Operating Procedures,
April 2024.
Details
Sources:
archive.gazettes.africa/arc…
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…

assets.publishing.service.g…
Report error ��� Log
Until Oct 14, 2021
No protections
Until 2021, there were no protections from discrimination provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Rwanda.
Details
Sources:
archive.gazettes.africa/arc…
Report error ��� Log

LGBT employment discrimination in Rwanda

?

LGBT employment discrimination in Rwanda is no protections.

Current status
No protections
Discrimination on basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in employment is not explicitly banned in Rwanda.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
Report error ��� Log

LGBT housing discrimination in Rwanda

?

LGBT housing discrimination in Rwanda is no protections.

Current status
No protections
There are no legal provisions that explicitly ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Articule 16 of the Constitution protects equality under the law.
Details
Sources:
www.constituteproject.org/c…
Report error ��� Log

Same-sex adoption in Rwanda

?

Same-sex adoption in Rwanda is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Law 32/2016 governing Persons and Family limits joint adoption only by married couples (spouses). Single people may not adopt.
Details
Sources:
Law 32/2016
www.refworld.org/legal/legi…

childrenofallnations.com/ad…
travel.state.gov/content/tr…
Report error ��� Log

Intersex infant surgery in Rwanda

?

Intersex infant surgery in Rwanda is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Surgery on intersex infants are legal and widely practiced in Rwanda.
Details
Sources:
www.dw.com/en/rwanda-activi…
Report error ��� Log

Serving openly in military in Rwanda

?

Serving openly in military in Rwanda is don't ask, don't tell.

Current status
Since Sep 17, 2012
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Law No. 64/2024 Governing the Rwanda Defence Force and Ministerial Order no. 01/Minadef/2012 Establishing the Disciplinary Code in the Rwanda Defence Forces do not specifically exclude LGBT people from serving. However, they include provisions relating to morality and unethical behaviour as grounds for dismissal, prohibitions and serious offences.
Details
Sources:
natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/…

rwandalii.org/akn/rw/offici…
Report error ��� Log

Blood donations by MSMs in Rwanda

?

Blood donations by MSMs in Rwanda is banned (indefinite deferral).

Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
MSMs are not eligible to donate blood, due to the Rwandan Blood Transfusion Service having concerns over HIV infection rates.
Details
Sources:
www.newtimes.co.rw/article/…
Report error ��� Log

Conversion therapy in Rwanda

?

Conversion therapy in Rwanda is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is legal in Rwanda but not widely practiced.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
Report error ��� Log

Equal age of consent in Rwanda

?

Equal age of consent in Rwanda is equal.

Current status
Equal
Age of consent is set at 18 years of age, regardless of gender or orientation.
Details
Sources:
www.ageofconsent.net/world/rwanda
Report error ��� Log

LGBT Rights by Province

View the LGBT laws in each individual province of Rwanda.

    Equality Index ?
    36 / 100
    Legal Rights
    40 / 100
    Public Opinion
    32 / 100

    Equality Rank

    View All
    #130
    Interest Rank based on Equaldex traffic ?

    Top Contributors

    1 User Live in Rwanda

    mahame2020

    Rwanda LGBT Organizations

    Suggest an organization

    Share Region

    LGBT Rwanda Flag
    LGBT Rwanda Flag

    Compare Rwanda

    95

    Compare with
    British Indian Ocean Territory

    9

    Compare with
    Burundi

    14

    Compare with
    Comoros

    37

    Compare with
    Djibouti

    5

    Compare with
    Eritrea

    10

    Compare with
    Ethiopia

    19

    Compare with
    Kenya

    28

    Compare with
    Madagascar

    Common queries:
    • Is it illegal to be gay in Rwanda?
    • Is homosexuality legal in Rwanda?
    • Is gay marriage legal in Rwanda?
    Alternative names: Rwanda/Urwanda (local name)

    LGBT Rights in Eastern Africa

    95

    LGBT Rights in
    British Indian Ocean Territory

    9

    LGBT Rights in
    Burundi

    14

    LGBT Rights in
    Comoros

    37

    LGBT Rights in
    Djibouti

    5

    LGBT Rights in
    Eritrea

    10

    LGBT Rights in
    Ethiopia

    19

    LGBT Rights in
    Kenya

    28

    LGBT Rights in
    Madagascar

    6

    LGBT Rights in
    Malawi

    54

    LGBT Rights in
    Mauritius

    88

    LGBT Rights in
    Mayotte

    45

    LGBT Rights in
    Mozambique

    11

    LGBT Rights in
    Tanzania

    9

    LGBT Rights in
    Uganda

    7

    LGBT Rights in
    Zambia

    14

    LGBT Rights in
    Zimbabwe